CHARGERS NEW GM NEEDS TO FIND HIS MAN

History proves it’s paramount for Telesco not to miss with first head coaching hire

Like Beathard showed with his first picks, it was a wise choice. Schottenheimer restored respectability and compiled a 14-2 record in 2006 before being fired after the season.

Then-general manager A.J. Smith’s fingerprints were on Schottenheimer’s dismissal, and on his first and only coaching selection: Norv Turner.

Though Turner produced in the first half of his six-year run, his teams missed the playoffs in each of the last three. That cost Turner and Smith their hides, which brings us to Telesco.

“We’re looking for a good teacher, a coach who can communicate, not only with the fans, but with us and with the players,” Telesco said. “We’re looking for a leader.”

What matters is getting it right — otherwise Telesco will be left explaining how his most important decision was a dud. Before blowing up the coaching staff, Telesco must know that when playing with fire, it’s easy to get burned.